As we are entering into summer, it’s time for you to broaden your horizons. Perhaps it’s time to pick up a new book? This is where I come in! I’m going to give you (some of) my top comic books I read every month! This list is in no particular order, and some of these comics are old, some are new, some are just mini-series and some are one particular six-issue story arc out of an entire series that might span several dozens of issues. As usual, I will be giving you the comixology.com links to all of these series/story arcs if you so desire to look in wonder at stories that have forever earned a place in my nerdy heart. Let’s get started, shall we?

1.Batman (2011-2016), Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo

If you know me, you know that I am first and foremost going to recommend you read “Batman” by Scott Snyder and drawn by Greg Capullo. This dream team brought the Caped Crusader a new look and some of the best story arcs since “The Killing Joke,” in my not-so humble opinion. Batman is the quintessential superhero comic to read; he’s one of the most recognized superheroes in the world, and for good reason. Side note: DC Comics is about to do a total reboot of all their titles starting this June, so Tom King will be taking the reins for a while with the Dark Knight.

2.Batman: The Killing Joke (1988), Alan Moore and Brian Bolland

Often hailed as the definitive Joker origin story, “The Killing Joke” is one of the best stories ever written, as I have already stated. Originally intended to be a one-shot issue in an alternate reality outside of the main DC continuity, the story was so popular that it was quickly adopted into the main Earth Prime continuity. The entire story is 66 pages long, but questions Batman’s number one rule: never kill. In this story, Batman is put to the ultimate test. This is the ultimate read for any Batman fan with a chilling ending that is up to your own imagination to decide what really happened.

3.Star Wars (2015-present), Jason Aaron and Leinil Francis Yu

The very first comic book I ever read was the 1977 “Star Wars” series. I still have the first two issues sitting in my long-box as we speak. It’s one of my prized possession and, being raised as a nerd, I am obligated to suggest this book, but it’s incredible as well. The series takes place between episodes four and five of the movies and follows Luke, Leia, Han and Chewie. The art in the book in simply incredible; I’ve never seen such a good drawing of Harrison Ford in my life. The characters are represented extremely well, just as they are presented in the movies. If you are a “Star Wars” fan, this is the book for you.

4.The Walking Dead (2003-present), Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard

Would I really be giving a definitive list of comic books if I didn’t mention “The Walking Dead?” I didn’t think so. I picked this series up out of a feeling of obligation, but it has quickly become a requirement to keep in my pull list. This is a series that has been around for 13 years, and I can certainly understand why it has been able to stay around for so long. The series is currently more focused on Rick Grimes and his people rebuilding some resemblance of society and the problems that come along with it. The entire book is in black and white, but Charlie Adlard is still one of the best artists around, hands down. If you love the show, then you have to read this book for at least a couple of issues. It’s really fun to see these characters show up in the show after you’ve been reading about them for a year or more. Fun fact: I screamed when Jesus showed up on the show. I’m that fan boy, and I’m OK with this.

5.Outcast (2014-present), Robert Kirkman and Paul Azaceta

This was my first comic book I put on my pull list outside of the superhero genre of comics. I was a little sketchy, at first, putting a horror comic on my list, but I gave it a shot; and oh my goodness, what a fantastic decision it was. This series follows Kyle Barnes’ story of his ability to cast out demons, more or less. The book is one that you learn more about the story of Kyle the further you go along in the series. It’s a really good take on the possession genre of horror and is never boring. Robert Kirkman is a force to be reckoned with as a writer, and there’s just something about Paul Azaceta’s pencil work that makes this an aesthetically pleasing book to look at, too; it’s not the best artwork on the planet, but it has a nostalgic feel to it.

6.Wytches (2014-present), Scott Snyder and Jock

I promise I spelled the title correctly; “Wytches” is a new take on the fables and myths of witches as they were portrayed in the Salem Witch Trial error and brings it to the modern day. The book is currently on hiatus until July of this year, so you have plenty of time to read the trade paperback to catch up on the first six issues. The book follows the character of Sailor Rook and her starting over in a new town after an incident with a bully. The story picks up quickly after the first few pages of the first issue. The first story arc has a twist end that you will never see coming; it left me screaming at the end out of shock, literally. If you think that horror comics might not be your thing, take it from someone who can’t sit through a horror movie, you have to read a horror comic at least once. I promise you won’t regret it.

7.Old Man Logan (2010), Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

This isn’t a series, per se, but just a story arc. It’s a part of the 2003-2009 “Wolverine” series by Mark Millar, but takes places in the future with an old Logan who has lost his healing factor, which has caused him to age like any normal human would. I won’t give much backstory on this but that it has been over 50 years since Wolverine has snikt’d those Adamantium claws of his, and for good reason, too. This is one of my favorite comics to date, and I’m currently trying to figure out why I don’t own it. If you’ll just excuse me for a moment while I run to my comic book store…

8.Avengers, Jonathan Hickman (2012-2015), Adam Kubert and Jerome Opena

I’m not a huge fan of “team” series (Avengers, Justice League, X-Men, etc…), but man oh man, did I enjoy Jonathan Hickman’s “Avengers” (2012-2015) run. Hickman is a god among men as far as writers go. Most of the series sets up for the 2015 “Secret Wars” series, but what a setup it was! Overall a great book to read and wonderful artwork in every issue.

9.Secret Wars (2015-2016), Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic

This was by far the best multiverse, crossover, every character in a comic book universe beating the snot out of each other event I have ever read. As you just read, this was a multiverse crossover with every character in the main, 616 Marvel Universe and the Ultimate 1610 Universe, as well. You can tell that a few issues were pushed back, as the series got a little dull in issues five through seven, but the penultimate and finale issues, eight and nine, are something to behold as far as stories go. The entire series ties together nicely and is fantastic as a whole, it was just a pain having to wait a few months in between issues. This is one that is best read in trade paperback (graphic novel) form.

As I said, these are just a few of the comics I've read, but they are some of my favorites. Some of these lead into other stories, and some are just one-shot stories that have nothing to do with anything continuity-wise with the rest of the universe of the comic publisher. What do you guys think? Did I miss any series or stories you guys like? Should I do something else involving just ongoing series? Let me know with a comment!